Sink and arrangement of a sanitary fitting on a sink

ABSTRACT

A washbasin has a washbasin depression and a periphery encircling this washbasin depression, wherein the periphery, over a significant part of its longitudinal extent, runs at the same height above the washbasin depression. The washbasin is provided with two elevated shoulder regions which preferably each have a planar top side and are located at a higher level than the periphery around the washbasin depression. It is possible for them to merge into one another or overlap one another and to serve for the arrangement of a sanitary fitting on it.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of international application PCT/EP2009/006316, filed Sep. 1, 2009, and claims priority under the Paris Convention to application DE 10 2008 050 894.2, filed in Germany on Sep. 25, 2008.

SCOPE AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a washbasin and to the arrangement of a sanitary fitting with a delivery pipe and at least two operating elements provided separately therefrom on a washbasin of this type.

Customary washbasins include a washbasin depression and a periphery encircling the washbasin depression. Depending on the design of the washbasin, a periphery around the washbasin depression can be wider or narrower, for example it can even have a varying width. Above all on a rear periphery, for example in the direction of a wall, on or in front of which the washbasin is mounted, a periphery can be designed to be wider. A sanitary fitting can be located either on said periphery, in particular on a wider region of the periphery, or next to the washbasin or on a wall behind said washbasin. Numerous variations, technically and embodimentally, are possible here.

OBJECT AND SOLUTION

The object underlying the invention is to create an abovementioned washbasin and an above-mentioned arrangement where problems of the prior art can be eliminated and, in particular, where a more extensive design flexibility and arrangement of sanitary fittings on a washbasin is possible.

This object is achieved by a washbasin and arrangement with the features defined in the independent claims. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the object of further claims and will be explained below in more detail. The wording of the claims is made the content of the description through explicit references.

It is provided that the periphery encircling the washbasin depression, over a significant part of its longitudinal extent, runs at the same height above the washbasin depression. This can be between 60% and 70% or even 80% of its longitudinal extent. According to the invention, the washbasin has provided on it or is provided with at least two elevated shoulder regions which are located at a higher level than said periphery. Said shoulder regions are advantageously provided on the periphery of the washbasin or they interrupt the rest of the periphery embodiment or directly adjoin it. They can, therefore, fit laterally into the washbasin depression or into the inner region of the washbasin, but do not have to. The shoulder regions can be realized, for example, in the manner of platforms. In an advantageous manner, they have a planar top side, in a particularly advantageous manner they are horizontal, possibly even with a type of outlet such as for soap dishes. Said top sides or surfaces formed by the shoulder regions can be used in different ways, for example as a depositing surface for soap or care products, tooth brushes or similar objects. As an alternative to this, a sanitary fitting or a part of such a sanitary fitting can be provided on a top side of a shoulder region, for example just a delivery pipe or an operating element or rotary handle. This will be explained in more detail.

In the embodiment of the invention, the shoulder regions can each be of different heights. A difference in height can be of the order of magnitude of the difference in height between the lowermost shoulder region and the periphery around the washbasin depression. In the case of an advantageous embodiment, the differences in height between periphery and the shoulder regions and between the shoulder regions themselves is within the range of a few centimeters, for example between 3 cm and 10 cm.

In addition, it can be provided that the periphery, in its embodiment without the shoulder regions, runs approximately at the same height level, in particular even continuously.

In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the shoulder regions are in contact with one another or merge into one another or overlap one another. Such an overlap can be between 5% and 20% of their longitudinal extent into the direction of the respectively other shoulder region. The overlap is, therefore, preferably rather small. In the case of such an overlap, it can be provided that the elevated shoulder region has its original shape and the lower shoulder region is adapted to said shape or, as it were, runs into the other shoulder region. These types of shoulder regions merging into one another can be arranged both along the same side of the periphery or advantageously around a corner of an approximately rectangular washbasin.

In another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the shoulder regions are not in contact with one another or are spaced apart from one another. In this case, they can be arranged on two sides, which are at an angle to each other, of an essentially rectangular washbasin or also on two opposite sides of such a washbasin.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the shoulder regions are of different sizes, in particular are of different lengths and/or widths. This means that both a functional adaptation and an improved visual impression are achieved. It can be provided in an advantageous manner that a larger shoulder region or one with a larger top side is located at a higher level than a smaller shoulder region.

In particular in the case of rectangular or rectangular-like washbasins, it can be provided that the longest shoulder region is itself shorter than the side of the washbasin depression on the periphery of which it is provided, or even shorter than the shortest side on the washbasin depression. The achievement here is that the shoulder regions do not appear as an elevated peripheral side on the washbasin depression, but as clearly recognizable and above all also smaller and more elevated shoulders or platforms or the like.

There are essentially no functional limitations to the form of the shoulder regions, similarly as to the washbasin itself. On one hand, a shoulder region can have an essentially elongate and rectangular top side, it being possible for said rectangular shape to be very sharp and concise or also essentially soft and rounded. As an alternative to this, rounded, in particular longish oval or circular, top sides or at the shoulder region are possible. Said basic shape or the cross section of the shoulder regions can be selected either in a corresponding manner to those of the washbasin or consciously can be precisely contrasting thereto.

The realization of a shoulder region can, in principle, be relatively freely selected. It is naturally advantageous, as has already been described, for the top side of a shoulder region to be planar or level. This increases the suitability for use. In addition, it can be provided in an advantageous manner that a shoulder region is essentially realized the same such that, along its vertical extent, it has an essentially constant cross section, that is to say, as it were, is approximately cylindrical.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a shoulder region is provided on the region of the periphery of the washbasin depression, where the washbasin is mounted on a wall or, for example, on a support frame, in the direction of a wall next to said wall. Such a shoulder region is very suitable for mounting a sanitary fitting or at least a delivery pipe of said sanitary fitting or the operating elements for said sanitary fitting. A water jet emerging from such a delivery pipe is very easily accessible and at the same time the delivery pipe does not interfere with the accessibility to the washbasin depression.

In the case of the invention, it can be advantageous for at least one shoulder region on one side of the washbasin depression not to be provided in the centre thereof or to be provided at one end of the side. It is advantageous for this to be provided in the direction of the end of the side pointing in the direction of an aforementioned wall or being adjacent thereto. This means, therefore, that such a shoulder region is offset towards the back. In yet another further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two shoulder regions are provided on the washbasin, on two adjacent sides, for example a rear side and the left or the right side.

A washbasin according to the invention can be produced in an advantageous manner in one piece or the shoulder regions can be formed integrally on the washbasin, in particular on the encircling periphery. If a washbasin is produced from ceramic or some other castable material, it is possible in a particularly advantageous manner to produce the washbasin in one piece with integral forming of the shoulder regions. If a washbasin is assembled from a plurality of parts, as is the case for many washbasins made from essentially rectangular plastics material or stone plates, a shoulder region can also be realized as a separate component and can be mounted on the washbasin, in particular adhered or screwed thereto.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided in an advantageous manner that a shoulder region is not designed to be solid, but rather is designed to be hollow from beneath. Depending on the material used, a predominant wall thickness can be, at most, a few centimeters or even less. In a particularly advantageous manner, it can be provided that on one shoulder region on the top side, in particular from beneath, a preparation is provided in order to produce, in an easy manner, a penetration or a through-opening through the top side. These can be used for installing sanitary fittings or the supply lines thereof. Such a preparation can be, for example, a press cut or the like prefabricated quasi as a material weakness and provided from beneath. By means of an impact from above onto the press cut, a centre piece can be broken out in order to create the through-opening.

In the case of an arrangement according to the invention of a sanitary fitting with a delivery pipe and at least one operating element realized separately therefrom, it is provided that at least one of said two parts is mounted on an afore-described shoulder region on the washbasin. If the sanitary fitting includes a plurality of operating elements, for example corresponding to a three-hole fitting with two rotary handles for hot water and cold water, in an advantageous manner the rotary handles are located together on a shoulder region and the delivery pipe on the washbasin itself or on another shoulder region.

These and further features proceed from the description and the drawings as well as from the claims, the individual features being realized in each case individually per se or as a plurality in the form of subcombinations in the case of an embodiment of the invention and in other areas and being able to represent advantageous designs that are patentable per se, for which protection is claimed in this case. The subdivision of the application into sub-headings and individual sections does not limit the universality of the statements made therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the inventions are represented schematically in the drawings and are explained below, in which, in detail:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a washbasin according to the invention with two elevated shoulder regions,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the washbasin in FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 to 5 show different variations of arrangements of a sanitary fitting on a washbasin similar to FIG. 1 and

FIGS. 6 to 8 show further variations of the arrangement with a washbasin similar to FIG. 1 on a supporting table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a washbasin 11 with a washbasin depression 12, which, as can be seen in FIG. 3, is essentially curved downward in a round manner and is also rounded in its embodiment or is adapted to the embodiment of a periphery 14 of the washbasin with a peripheral top side 15. The shape of the washbasin 11, when seen in top view, is essentially rectangular with rounded sides 17 a to 17 d and more extensively rounded corners. In principle, however, the shape can also be precisely rectangular or rectangular with sharp edges or can also be very much more extensively rounded until it is circular. The periphery 14 or the peripheral top side 15 is of varying widths, this is, however, known in general of washbasins.

According to the invention, the washbasin 11 includes an elevated shoulder region 20 a on the rear side 17 a and an elevated shoulder region 20 b on the right side 17 c. From the top view in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the elevated shoulder region 20 a has a longish rectangular shape, as does the lower elevated shoulder region 20 b, said lower elevated shoulder being somewhat shorter and for that reason somewhat wider. The two elevated shoulder regions 20 a and 20 b include gently rounded longitudinal edges and sharply rounded corners, which correspond approximately to the shaping of the washbasin 11 or of its periphery 14. However, this can be clearly different.

From the side view in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the outer peripheries of the shoulder regions 20 a and 20 b are relatively straight and quite wide such that they extend, as it were, in the vertical direction in an essentially cylindrical manner or with the same cross section. In addition, the top sides 21 a and 21 b are planar and accessible. This makes it very easy for them to be used, for example, as deposit surfaces in general or also for aforementioned cosmetic and care products. As an alternative to this, at least one of the shoulder regions 20 could include indentations. In addition, in the top sides of the shoulder regions 20 bores 22 or penetrations are indicated that, as a rule, however, have not yet normally been carried out. Said bores 22, however, can be prepared from the underside such that penetrations can easily be produced here for the arrangement of sanitary fittings or the like and this will become clear from the following figures. This is, however, already generally known of ceramic washbasins. The number and arrangement of said bores 22 are arbitrary.

In addition, it is advantageous (not shown in the figures) if the washbasin 11, when produced for example from ceramic, is not completely solid, but, as it were, is moulded and provided from underneath with indentations and recesses. This applies, in particular, also to the periphery 14 and to the shoulder regions 20 as otherwise these would be totally solid.

It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the shoulder regions 20 a and 20 b, as it were, merge into one another or the lower shoulder region 20 b connects seamlessly to the higher shoulder region 20 a.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement 23 according to the invention. In this case, a sanitary fitting 25 that includes a plurality of parts is provided on a washbasin 11 similar to FIG. 1, the details of which are not represented once again for reasons of clarity.

The sanitary fitting 25 includes a delivery pipe 26, which extends above the washbasin 11 and the washbasin depression 12, and an operating element 27 arranged to the left and right thereof. Said sanitary fitting 25 is a so-called three-hole fitting, for which purpose the three bores 22 in FIG. 1 are realized in a corresponding manner as penetrations in order to secure the components of the sanitary fitting 25 thereto and therein. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that the right shoulder region 20 b remains unchanged, in particular its bores 22 are not penetrated such that the top side 22 can be used very well as a support surface. In an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to locate the delivery pipe 26 on the extreme left-hand side on the rear shoulder region 20 a. Its water jet then runs more centrally in the central region of the washbasin depression 12, which makes use or handling much easier. In addition, it is also possible to turn the delivery pipe 26 somewhat in the direction of the central point of the washbasin depression 12.

FIG. 4 shows a variant of an arrangement 23 in FIG. 3. In this case, two operating elements 27 of a sanitary fitting 25 are provided on the rear shoulder region 20 a, in the left-hand region thereof. A delivery pipe 26 is provided on the right-hand shoulder region 20 b and points, although it is located on the periphery, approximately into the centre of the washbasin depression 12.

In yet another variant in FIG. 5, a delivery pipe 26 of a sanitary fitting 25 is located on the extreme left-hand side on the rear shoulder region 20 a. The second shoulder region 20 b is provided on the left-hand side 17 a of the washbasin 11 and includes the two operating elements 27 of the sanitary fitting 25. It can be seen from this that the two shoulder regions 20 do not forcibly have to be directly adjacent one another or realized so as to merge into one another. They can also be provided with a clear spacing between one another.

FIG. 6 shows a further arrangement 23 of a washbasin 11 with a sanitary fitting 25 that is possible in principle, the washbasin 11 resting on a supporting table 30. The washbasins represented in general in FIGS. 1 to 5 can also be provided for wall mounting, the rear side 17 a then extending at least as far as the shoulder region 20 a or beyond said shoulder region and being realized as is customary for wall mounting.

In FIG. 6, a washbasin 11 is placed in a customary manner onto a supporting table 30 that is usual per se, it can, however, rest with its downwardly curved washbasin depression 12 on the top side thereof or can project into an indentation. The sanitary fitting 25 also includes per se only one single delivery pipe 26, for which, in this case however, two possible positions are represented in a single figure. On the one hand, the delivery pipe 26 can be provided quasi on the rear side 17 a of the washbasin 11, outside of said washbasin. As an alternative to this, it can be provided on the left of the left side 17 b. The two operating elements 27 of the sanitary fitting 25 are provided corresponding to FIG. 4 in the left region of the rear shoulder region 20 a. There is, therefore, as it were, a mixed arrangement of the components of the sanitary fitting 25.

FIG. 7 shows a further variant where, in the case of the arrangement 23, a sanitary fitting 25 with delivery pipe 26 and two operating elements 27 are arranged on the rear side 17 a of the washbasin 11 or at the back. As an alternative to this, they can be arranged on the left next to the left side 17 b of the washbasin 11. No component of the sanitary fitting is arranged on the shoulder regions 20 a and 20 b. In an advantageous manner, their top sides 22 are once again smooth and closed.

FIG. 8 shows a further variant where a delivery pipe 26 of a sanitary fitting 25 is arranged on the right shoulder region 20 b, similarly as is shown in FIG. 4. Operating elements 27 are shown or arranged behind the rear side 17 a of the washbasin 11 and/or on the left next to left side 17 b of the washbasin 11. In this case, it can also be seen that it is possible for more than two operating elements 27, as in the previous figures, to be provided, for example namely another operating element for a washbasin closure (not shown), as an alternative also further devices such as a fixedly mounted soap dispenser or the like. 

1. A washbasin having a washbasin depression and a periphery encircling said washbasin depression, wherein said periphery, over a significant part of its longitudinal extent, runs at the same height above said washbasin depression, wherein said washbasin is provided on it with at least two elevated shoulder regions, said elevated shoulder regions being located at a higher level than said periphery around said washbasin depression.
 2. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said at least two elevated shoulder regions each have a planar top side.
 3. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are each of different heights, and a difference in height is of the order of magnitude of the difference in height between said lowermost shoulder region and said periphery around said washbasin depression.
 4. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are in contact with one another or merge into one another.
 5. The washbasin according to claim 4, wherein said shoulder regions are in contact with one another or merge into one another with an overlap of between 5% and 20% of their longitudinal extent into a direction of said respectively other shoulder region.
 6. The washbasin according to claim 5, wherein said elevated shoulder region has its original shape and said lower shoulder region is adapted to the shape of said other shoulder region.
 7. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are not in contact with one another.
 8. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are of different sizes and are of different lengths or widths.
 9. The washbasin according to claim 8, wherein a smaller shoulder region is located at a higher level than a larger shoulder region.
 10. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said longest shoulder region is shorter than said shortest side of said washbasin depression.
 11. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein one said shoulder region has an essentially elongate and rectangular surface area with rounded corners.
 12. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein, along its vertical extent, one said shoulder region, with an exception of rounded top edges, has an essentially constant cross section.
 13. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said washbasin is approximately right-angled or said washbasin depression is approximately right-angled, said shoulder regions being provided on different sides of said washbasin or of said washbasin depression. or the longitudinal directions of the shoulder regions being approximately at right angles to one another.
 14. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal directions of said shoulder regions are approximately at right angles to one another.
 15. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein one said shoulder region is provided on said peripheral region of said washbasin depression in a direction of that side of said washbasin which is designed for mounting into direction of a wall.
 16. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein at least one said shoulder region is provided on said washbasin eccentrically.
 17. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are provided on adjacent sides.
 18. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are formed integrally on said washbasin or on said encircling periphery around said washbasin depression.
 19. The washbasin according to claim 18, wherein said shoulder regions are integrally formed when produced from ceramic or other castable material.
 20. The washbasin according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder regions are designed to be hollow, or non-solid, from beneath with a wall thickness of, at most, a few centimeters.
 21. Arrangement of a sanitary fitting with a drainage pipe and two operating elements provided separately therefrom, such as rotary handles, on said washbasin according to claim 1, wherein at least one said operating element is provided on a different shoulder region from said drainage pipe. 